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Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte to lead strong Team Sky line-up at Tour Down Under

British team announces seven-man roster for season-opening race

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Team Sky have revealed a strong line-up for the opening UCI WorldTour race of next season – the Tour Down Under – with Australian Richie Porte bidding for glory in his home country as he gears up for the Giro d’Italia.

Porte will share the team leadership with Geraint Thomas, who spent time in the ochre leader’s jersey in this year’s race on his way to finishing third overall and topping the points classification.

Geraint Thomas had a stint in the ochre jersey at this year’s Tour Down Under, and will share leadership duties with Richie Porte in next year’s edition (pic: Sirotti)

Thomas’ place on the overall podium ensured it was the third team Team Sky had a rider in the top three at the race in their four-year history.

And Tasmanian ace Porte hopes he can continue the trend this year as he starts his preparations for a maiden Grand Tour victory at the Giro d’Italia.

“I want to go to the Tour Down Under and perform,” he told the team website. “As an Aussie it’s the race to win.

“It used to be a sprinter’s race but now there are some good climbs in there. I’ve spent a bit of time in Adelaide so I know the climbs pretty well.

“I think if I’m in good form and we have a strong there – if not me then through Geraint Thomas – we also have a really good chance.

“It’s great that there’s interest from an Australian perspective with Cadel [Evans] starting his season there – myself, Simon Gerrans and guys like that. I’ve been in Australia for the last month and you can see how big cycling is getting. People are really taking an interest.”

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